SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Calico Corn

Corn
Zone 11a Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Calico Corn to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.
Botanical illustration of Calico Corn
70d to harvest

Wake to a feast of color in the garden: Calico Corn ripens into jewel-toned ears where creamy kernels blush through warm butter, rose-gold, and deep ember-red in painterly streaks. The kernels are plump and firm with a crisp, satisfying bite, making each ear a striking centerpiece for autumn displays and seasonal arrangements. Grow Calico Corn for its bold, ornamental presence—an easy way to add vivid texture and lasting visual drama to your landscape at peak maturity.

Crop Dates

Growing note: In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).
MilestoneDate
Start Indoors—
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Transplant / Sow OutdoorsOct 1st
Harvest BeginsDec 10th
Harvest EndsFeb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity70
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitUpright
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)60
Min Soil Temp (°F)60
Min Night Temp (°F)50
Harden Off (days)Not Required

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Calico Corn in Zone 11a typically begins around 2026-10-01. Wait until soil reaches at least 60°F before transplanting Calico Corn.

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

Recommended Companions

Picklebush Cucumber
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Bonbon Squash
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Parisian Pickling Cucumber
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White Flat Boer Squash
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Frequently Asked Questions

What pest is most likely to hit sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) and how do I stop it?
Watch for corn earworm/bollworm, which leaves frass at the tip of developing ears. When silks are fresh (about 1–3 days after they emerge), apply an earworm-targeted control such as Bt (bacillus thuringiensis) that’s labeled for caterpillars, and reapply as directed. Also remove and discard badly damaged ears early so larvae don’t move to neighboring plants.
How often should I water calico sweet corn during the main growing phase?
During the rapid growth and tassel-to-silk period, keep soil evenly moist—aim for about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) of water per week, split across 2–3 deep waterings if it’s hot. Sweet corn is sensitive to drought stress during silk emergence and ear development; if the top inch of soil dries out repeatedly, yields and kernel fill drop. Use mulch to reduce swings in soil moisture, and avoid soaking leaves late in the day to limit disease.
Botanical illustration of Calico Corn

Wake to a feast of color in the garden: Calico Corn ripens into jewel-toned ears where creamy kernels blush through warm butter, rose-gold, and deep ember-red in painterly streaks. The kernels are plump and firm with a crisp, satisfying bite, making each ear a striking centerpiece for autumn displays and seasonal arrangements. Grow Calico Corn for its bold, ornamental presence—an easy way to add vivid texture and lasting visual drama to your landscape at peak maturity.

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Calico Corn in Zone 11a typically begins around 2026-10-01. Wait until soil reaches at least 60°F before transplanting Calico Corn.

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 60°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

Plant sweet corn in a block (not a single row) to improve pollination and ensure full, even ear fill.